30 Best Beauty Products Under $30

These products won’t erase wrinkles or give you legs like Gisele’s. But they’ll put a smile on your face—and boost the way you feel about your looks. From sexy designer scents to peppy polish, they're like the grownup equivalent of candy

by Genevieve Monsma

Toe-tal necessity

We predict DIOR’s Vernis Nail Colour in Riviera ($23; dior.com), left, a fiery, flattering-on-all coral, will be this season’s “it” lacquer. For the prettiest results, pair it with summer’s other must-have for feet: a sexy ankle-strap stiletto.

Split lips

One lipstick, three looks: NYC NEW YORK COLOR’s City Duet 2-in-1 Split Lipsticks ($3; drugstores), right, boast two-toned bullets so you can wear one side at a time—or layer the two to create a new hue. Pick from 10 combinations.

Do the wave

DIY scent

Create your own summery signature with Tokyomilk’s Mix N’ Match Eau de Parfum sets ($18; tokyo-​milk.com). Each comes with six fragrance vials so you can layer as you like. Shown: Moonflower, a sextet of heady florals.

Sophisticated sudsesr

Too pretty to tuck behind a shower curtain, L’EAU DE CHLOE Shower Gel ($30; nordstrom.com) will wrap you up in a rose-chypre-citrus scent. And though it’s technically a wash-off product, the refreshing fragrance will linger for hours.

Paint Box

Get ready faster with the Jillian Dempsey for Avon Professional Perfect Contour Powder ($10; avon.com). This three-in-one lets you apply highlighter, blush and contour bronzer in one fell swoop. Sweep a brush over the colors, then across your face, cheek to ear.

Face value

Packing just got -easier thanks to the SONIA KASHUK Escape to Paradise Face Palette ($20; target.com). Inside: four eyeshadows, one eyeliner, one blush, an eyelid primer and three lip glosses. Toss in mascara and a bathing suit—and you’re good to go.

Handy!

OK, it does resemble a pack of birth control pills. But never mind. EOS Everyday Hand Lotion ($4; drugstores) leaves skin baby smooth. It’s also fast absorbing, and the slim container lets you carry it anywhere.

Curl Activator

Star bar

The Cos Bar, an Aspen beauty boutique and celeb hangout, is collaborating with Target to bring its house brand to non–snow bunnies this summer. Our pick: COS BAR AT TARGET Wrapped Soap in Orange Citrus ($4; target.com).

Smooth operator

Infused with keratin (that’s protein) plus argan and olive oils, the Cricket Ultra-Smooth Dressing Comb ($6; cricketco.com) strengthens and smooths strands as you style. For best results, run it through a damp ’do.

Gold standard

Fat Lips

When it comes to universal color, ELIZABETH ARDEN Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Rose Aurora ($23; elizabetharden.com) is at the top of the heap. This soft, plumping pink is an easy-to-wear, everyday pick for most skin tones.

Best fake bake

All-star oil

There’s little that JOSIE MARAN Pure Argan Oil to Go ($14; josiemaran-cosmetics.com) can’t do. It functions as a daily mois-turizer, conditions raggedy cuticles, flattens flyaways and seals split ends. Now if only it did the laundry.

Fresh start

Eau de Trini Hair Perfume ($19; 786-220-7941) makes dirty strands smell just-washed on steamy days when you can’t bear to shampoo and blow-dry. Available in three scents: Fresh, shown, Oriental and Exotic.

Mother pucker

Giorgio Armani Beauty Gloss d’Armani in Pink 502 ($28; giorgioarmani​-beauty-usa​.com) is akin to black mascara: It’s a no-brainer to apply and looks good on everyone. Swipe it over bare lips—or on top of a favorite bright lipstick to soften the finish.